Main valve for fire-extinguishing systems.



Patented May 20, |902'.

H. EvEnsmANn. IIAINIVALVE FDR FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS.

(Application led Nov. 9, 1901.)

2 Sheets-Sheet (N0-Model.)

Invent@ Witness s `TN: Norms PETERS co. moro-umn.. wAsnmu'roN, n4 c.

Patenfeg may zo, |902.

H. EVERSMANN. MAIN VALVE FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS.

(Application mea Nov. 9.1901.)

2 Sheets-Shet 2.

(lo llo-del.)

'Im/enfui we miams PETERS co. Pnomumu., msnmmou, u. n.

' UNrrnD STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRYv EvERsMANN, 'on CININNATI., oHIo.

MA-INSVALVE FOR FlRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 700,187, dated May 20, 1902.

Appli-cation led November 9, 1901. Serial No. 81,685. (Nomodel.) y

y Main Valves for Fire-Extinguishing Systems;

and I -d o `declare the following tobe a clear,

. full, and exact'descriptionthereoi attention being also called to the accompanying two sheets of drawings, with the reference-numerals-marked thereon, which form also a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in valves such as are most frequently used in connection with vire-eXtinguishing apparatus of the kind where a system of pipes normally empty and provided with outlets in form of sprinkler-heads, spray-nozzles, and similar discharge-openings is supplied with water at the proper time, such supply being controlled by the valve iirst mentioned. The supply is usually automatic and due to the heat radiated from a fire, in consequence of which the risingI temperature melts fusible closing devices, holding the sprinkler `and 'other outlets normally closed, permitting discharge of water after the air held conned in the pipe system has first escaped, which air also by its pressure keeps the aforementioned valve seated; `thereby normally eX- cluding the-water. vIt will thus be seen that on one side of this valve there is the air confined in the pipe system, which by its pressure on this valve keeps the same seated,

and thereby excludes the water seeking entrance and pressing against it from the other side. For such purpose it is necessary that the air-pressure should at least equal the wav ter-pressure, to which a safemargin of additional pressure must be added. This margin is a higher pressure obtained either by increasing the air-pressure directly or by increasing it indirectly by increasing the area of the valve on the air side. Thel water-supply is most generally obtained directly from public water-works'systems, attachment being had to one of the street-mains thereof, the Yvalve-here in consideration being interposed between the supplyscoming'from such street-main andthe particular Vsprinkler-pipe system in communicationv therewith. In such connection this main .valve is subject to the general water-pressure and any variation thereof, which changes occur very frequently and are due to various causes. Changes take place during the night, when the pressure usually rises.- It decreases during the hot season when the demand increases, and in case of emergencies-as, for instance, ex-

' tensive conflagrations-when the 4supply is rheavily drawn upon. When these'fluctuations take place'sudd'enly, particularlyfrom a lower pressure --back'to the normal or to a higherv one, the effect is generally noticeable, more or less, upon. any fitttings, as valves, cocks, gages, duc., embraced within the service-pipe system. LThis eifect,sometimes known as water-hammer, is of no particular consequence as to such ttings or valves in fixed positions within their housings and held positively to their seats by mechanical means. In

valves of the kind,'however, as here in view when the valve is not held to its seat by positive means, but merely by a yielding force, being the pressure of air in the sprinklerpipe system, the possibility exists that a sudden increase in pressure may momentarily at least disturb the position of the valve by forc- -ingthe same from its seat.

To overcome this objection as to such valves, being the main valves controlling the supply to a sprinklerpipjesystem4 from the public service and to enable such valves to successfully-withstand the' shock of a-sudden increase in water-pressure,` is therefore. the main object of my inventijon:l A. In the followingspecication and particularly pointed out in the claims is found a full description of the same, together with its operation, parts, and construction, which latter is also illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l shows a side elevation of my improved valve, or rather its housing, since' the former is not visible in this View. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of Fig. 1, being a section through the housing and through the valve inclosed thereby, this latter beingin its closed position. Fig. 3 is a view similar'tothepre- ,I ceding one, except as to the valve, which is not shown in section `andas. to its position which is shown in open condition. 'Fi'gVA 4 is:

a view similar to Fig. 1 with parts broken away to show a section similar to the one ICO . tached by a screw connection.

shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a horizontal sec' tion of the housing, showing the valve in top view. Fig. 6 is a side view of the valve detached, and Fig. 7 shows an implement used at certain times in connection with the valve and for purposes to be presently explained.

10 is the valve-housing, which may be of any suitable size and shape and constructed to be accessible interiorly to permit placing of the valve. In this case the housing is shown cylindrical with tapering ends, which shape is, however, not material. One of the ends is removably connected, forming a head 1l to permit access to the interior. The housing is open at opposite ends, one end receiving the water-supply pipe 12, the other the end of a pipe 13, leading to the sprinkler-pipe system. Normally the watersupply from pipe 12 is prevented from cntering the sprinklerpipe system by a valve contained within housing 10 and held to its seat by the pressure of air confined in the sprinkler-pipe system. By preference I give this valve two seating-contacts, one at 14 against a seat 15 and one at 16 against a seat 17, gaskets of yielding material, like rubber or leather, being interposed in each instance. In case of the lower contact this gasket, forming really the seat, is held in position by a ring 18.

In case of the upper contact it is held to the valve corner 1G by means of a ring 19, at-

In case of any reduction of the air-pressure in the sprinkler-pipe system, due to the opening, and escape therethrough of air of any of the outlets therein either directly or indirectly in consequence of the rising temperature due to fire, this valve yields as soon as the waterpressure preponderates over the decreasing air-pressure and is forced away from its seat. If this housing is in a vertical position, as shown, this valve simply drops away, being guided in its movements in either case by guides 21, its drop being limited by projections 22, forming stops for such purpose. The water now passes through the space between the outer edge 14 of the valve and the inside of the housing, as best seen in Fig. 5, and enters pipe 13. In order to lessen the effect of the shock against the valve, due to any sudden increase of water-pressure, I render that side of it exposed toward the water movable independently of the Valve proper, the movement being an elastic one, and whereby this part of the valve is permitted to yield, as shown in Fig. 4, to the shock ol' the water-hammer without necessarily separating the contact of the valve with its seat. This movable face of the valve is obtained by means of a movable head at 23 and is supported at the open end of a housing 24, forming part of the valve, between the contact edges 14 and 16 thereof and within which it is yieldingly held against an inwardly-projecting flange 25. This elastic pressure, which might be provided by a liuid introl duced into housing 24, is preferably furnished by a spring 26 therein. Its action is substantially that of a buffer or cushion, and at a sudden increase it will yield, when it is eX- pected that its resistance will exhaust the elfects of the sudden Ashock accompanying such increase without permitting this vlatter to alect the seating-contact of the valve by vibrating or jarring the same. As will be seen, particularly in Fig. 4, this yielding of head 23 does not admit passage of water, since thevalve remains still closed, there being no part of this latter subject to contact with and pressure ot the water, such contact being limited to the outersurface only of the movable head 23. Leakage into 4housing 24 is prevented by suitable packing 27, carried by this head 23. To permit taking up of wear at the valve-seats, one of them, in this case seat 17, is supported adjustably, the ad- These latter are accessible from theroutside, so that it is not'necessary for purpose of such adjustment to interrupt the service by taking the valve-housing apart. Leaking at this movable valve-seat is prevented by packing 29, held in place by a ring 30 against a flange 30'.

When setting and charging this system, it

by positive means until suicient air is charged into the sprinkler-pipe system to raise a pressure able to hold it seated against the water-pressure. For such purpose, the

general stop-cock in pipe 12 (not shown) and controlling all branch connections through mains, a cap 31 is removed above the valve and the upper part of the'housing thereof, which permits insertion of an implement 32 end thereof with a correspondingly-threaded socket 33 in movable head 23. By means of a nut 34 this rod, with attached valve, is drawn outwardly and so held with the valve against its seat, thus shutting out the Water until sufficient air is introduced on the other side. This introduction of air is-at 35. 36 and 37 are hand-holes to permit access to the valve for any further manipulation Whenever necessary. In order to prevent all possibility that removal of this rod might be forgotten, which would render automatic opening of the valve impossible, I provide an electrical signal, which by its action shows the condition of the valve. It may be a bell-signal or an indicator. For such purpose I provide two contact-pieces, connected to binding-posts 38 and 39, and one (shown at 41) being elastic. They are held normally apart by a lateral projection 42 on cap 31, when this latter is in position after the apparatus is properly pre pared, but on removal permits contact and operates the signal.

Having described my invention, I claim as new- 1. A main-valve mechanism fora fire-extinjustment being by means of set-screws 28.

water having been shut oli. by means of the' and engagement of the lower screw-threaded' becomes necessary to hold the valve closed roo IIO

guishing apparatus, consisting of a housing communicating at one end with a water-supply pipe and at the other with a sprinklerpipe system, a valve contained in this housing anda seat for it in this latter and against which it is normally held by air under pressure contained in the sprinkler-pipe system, that part of the valve-surface exposed to the action of the water and in contact therewith having an independent movement on the Vvalve without aecting the position of this latter and being held in normal position by a yielding pressure.

' 2. A mainfvalve for firefextinguishing apparatus to be interposed between an aircharged sprinkler-pipe system and. a watersupply pipe therefor and intended to normally prevent such supply, the same being' provided with an elastic cushion on that side of it which is in contact with the water and subject tothe pressure thereof, such cushion being capable of a movement independent of the valve and without affecting at such time the position thereof.

3. A main valve for fire-extinguishing apparatus to be interposed between an aircharged sprinkler-pipe system and a watersupply pipe therefor and intended to normally prevent such supply,fthe same having a housing on the water side and a head iitted thereto Withan elastic pressure and in a man'- ner to be capable of a movement independent of the valve and Without affecting at such time the posit-ion thereof.

t. A inain valve forl tire-extinguishing apparatus to be interposedbetween an air-v charged sprinkler-pipe system and a watersupply pipe therefor and intended to vnormally prevent such supply, the-same having two seating-contacts at 14 and 16, a housing 24 between them and an elastically-supported v HENRY EVERSMANN.

`Vitnesses: 1

C. SPENGEL, I. Hnrrz. 

